Posted on 04/13/2010 10:12:17 AM PDT by NYer
Mark Chaves of the National Congregations Study has put together an interesting graph demonstrating the ways that different religious groups engage in politics. The numbers may surprise you:
Chaves breaks down the results:
First, notwithstanding extensive media coverage of political mobilization within conservative churches, conservative white Protestant churches do not stand out in their level of political activity. Catholic and black Protestant churches, overall, are more politically active than either liberal or conservative white Protestants. About three-quarters of Catholics and black Protestants attend churches that engaged in at least one of these eight political activities, compared to about half of white Protestants, either conservative or liberal (Synagogues’ political activity rates, by the way, are as high as the Catholic and black Protestant rates). . . .
[B]lack churches are much more likely than white churches to engage in electoral politics by having a candidate or elected government official speak at the church, or by participating in voter registration drives. And Catholic churches are much more likely than Protestant churches to engage in the direct action and pressure group politics of marching, demonstrating, and lobbying elected officials.
The interesting question is what drives these different congregations to pursue political activism (or not) in the manner that they do. Is it cultural? Theological? What do readers think?
Ping!
CAIR.
I think the Roman Catholic stance against abortion probably qualifies for most of their political activity, whereas the black protestant churches push politics more
I think you’re probably right.
It’s interesting that elected officials and candidates are to be found almost exclusively at black church services.
Recruiting
Prolife activities have skewed the results for Catholics.
Regular politics never come up in my parish.
Prolife activites come up often.
Would agree with that wholeheartedly.
**Regular politics never come up in my parish.**
If any Catholic Church endorses a candidate they can lose their non-profit status.
Issues are OK, candidates — not.
So perhaps the Catholic Churches tow the rule line better than other denominations.
I think part of the difference is that Catholic churches don’t invite “guest speakers” during Mass, the way a Protestant church might during a service. The homily is given by a priest or deacon. If it’s not the regular parish clergy, it might be a representative of a missionary organization. You might have a Sister or someone say a few words during the announcements, but there’s just not a good place in the service for political persons to speak.
I hope no one got paid for this meaningless blah blah.
Wow. No secular-humanists. Surprising, to say the least.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.